Do It For Him

I'm Here, I'm Here, I'm Here

Tanjirou and Zenitsu hold hands as they walk through the dark forest. It's full of chittering and sighs. They haven't said anything, but Tanjirou hasn't taken his eyes off of him.

    "Tanjirou, can you not tell Uzui-san about this?" Tanjirou frowns as Zenitsu squeezes his hand.

    "Zenitsu... I can't not tell him." Zenitsu furrows his eyebrows as he looks down. "You tried to kill yourself, I can't ignore that," Zenitsu feels a lump form in his throat. Now Uzui won't ever let him out of his sight. He guesses he doesn't mind. But being around Uzui all day everyday might just kill him faster.

    "I'm... really sorry," Tanjirou turns around and smiles gently. That fragile face he makes when he's not angry, not happy, but worried.

    "As long as you're safe, Zenitsu," he says, "then I'll forgive you."

  They arrive and he's greeted with tears and sighs of relief. He didn't expect that. He sees Uzui, who smiles and runs up to him. He hugs him, making Zenitsu jump.

    "Thank god, you're okay." He's not okay. Zenitsu sinks into his hold, slightly shaking. Uzui grabs his hand and goes to the elevator. What's he going to do with him? "Tanjirou, come with us." Zenitsu frowns, as well as looking at Tanjirou's fragile face.

  Tanjirou closes the door, looking down with a frown. Zenitsu is still holding Uzui's hand, not really thinking about anything. His mind is blank. He's so exhausted. Head empty, body moving like a robot. Uzui looks down at him, then at Tanjirou.

    "Tell me, what happened?" Zenitsu jolts and his eyes snap up. He's dreaded this conversation, he doesn't want Uzui to know, it's embarrassing.

    "Zenitsu, he tried to kill himself." Uzui's eyes go wide as Zenitsu's tears roll down his cheeks.

    "You what?!" Zenitsu hunches his shoulders, trying to make himself disappear. "Zenitsu..." Zenitsu leans against him, getting his sleeve wet.

    "The police... they're after me. Those kids, I didn't kill them. They heard my voice, but they didn't see my face. And you might get hurt, you might get killed if they find me-"

    "I don't care if they find you," Zenitsu flinches and looks up. "As long as you're here, as long as you're safe, I don't care what happens to me!" Zenitsu's face flushes as his lips quiver.

    "Zenitsu," Uzui crouches down, eye-level with him. "I care about you, more than anyone else, so please, don't think so little of yourself." Zenitsu chokes and covers his face. He apologizes over and over to him. Uzui picks him up and he cries in his shoulder. Uzui looks at Tanjirou.

    "Can you leave us alone for a little while." Tanjirou nods.
    "Zenitsu, look at me." Zenitsu shakes his head. "That's not a request, it's an order. Look at me," Zenitsu squeezes his eyes shut and turns his face towards his. Uzui sighs with tired eyes.

    "Zenitsu, are you hurt?" He blinks and raises his eyebrows.

    "Uh-no, I'm fine," Uzui sets him down and walks over to his desk. He sits down, crossing his legs and resting his cheek on his fist.

    "Come here," Zenitsu's face flushes as he slowly trots over. Uzui stares at him with a blank expression the whole time. Zenitsu starts fidgeting with his hands and shifting from side to side.

    "Why were you going to do it?" Zenitsu blinks, flinching from the sudden question.

    "I-I told you, it was because the police were after me, so I ran to protect you-"

    "You're lying," Zenitsu falters, "that couldn't possibly be the only reason. You're not like that."  He looks down.

    "What am I to you?" Uzui raises his eyebrows at the statement. "It's just—you've sent me so many mixed signals, I don't know what to do with myself!" He covers his face, mumbling under his breath. Uzui grabs his wrists gently and pries them apart.

    "Zenitsu, you are everything to me." Zenitsu blushes. But the aching question still lingers.

    "Am I Suma-san to you?" Uzui halts, not smiling, with his eyebrows raised.

    "Zenitsu," he laughs, "you've asked me that before. I-"

    "No," Zenitsu smacks his hands, "you don't love me. You love Suma. For now," Zenitsu starts, taking a step back, and turns around. "Let's just pretend none of this ever happened-"

    "No!" Uzui stands up with a quick motion, making Zenitsu wince. "You can't leave," he raises his eyebrow and turns back around. "Zenitsu, I fucking love you." Zenitsu's face turns a deep red. "God, before you came into my life, I wanted to die," Zenitsu frowns, "I had nothing to live for." Uzui looks him dead in the eyes.
    "But you! When you came I..." Zenitsu hears Uzui getting worked up. He's never seen him like this, with his guard down. "My wives... they all died because of me. I was too big of a coward to save them. I couldn't even save one! They died because of how stupid I was! I'm the wors—"

    "Well, I think you're pretty great." Zenitsu's arms are wrapped around his waist, face pressed against his chest.
    "You're not a coward. You're strong, brave, and amazing." Zenitsu smiles, "in my book," He looks up at him, "I think you're pretty flamboyant, Uzui-san." Uzui's tears spill, startling Zenitsu. Uzui puts one hand on his face, laughing.

    "God, when was the last time I've cried?" Zenitsu pulls back as he sees Uzui break down. Uzui collapses back into his chair, laughing and crying. Zenitsu isn't sure what to do.

    "Uzui-san," the blond says, making Uzui look up. When the man lifts his head, he's greeted with lips on his. It's so soft, like velvet touching his skin.
    "Don't be so hard on yourself," Zenitsu smiles, eyes kind. "Remember, you have everyone here, and me." Zenitsu giggles and kisses his cheek, tasting some of the salty tears. Uzui hugs him, crying in his chest. Zenitsu pets his hair, cooing him like a mother soothing her distressed child.

    "It's okay, I'm here."